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According to Dave Shealy, vocalist and saxophonist of Gas House Mouse, the band has recently undergone another stage of evolution. At first, the band was strictly blues based, but now Gas House Mouse is a little harder to describe.

“Our sound has evolved throughout the years,” Shealy said, “What started as blues has actually turned into some combination of blues, rock and rhythm and blues.”

Shealy formed Gas House Mouse in late 2002 as a blues band and the evolution that he speaks of occurred because of a change in the band’s lineup. The band gained a new bass player and keyboardist to make it the band it is today.

The band spends most of its time at festivals like Downtown Sounds and in clubs throughout the Upstate. Shealy prefers festivals and outdoor shows because of the mix of people in the audience.

“Playing bars can get a little old, but there is a place for it,” Shealy said, “We played Downtown Sounds last year and it’s a great outdoor spot. Everyone kicked back and relaxed and it was all smooth.”

The band plays several covers, but is riding high off the release of a new album that includes a couple of originals. Attendees at Downtown Sounds can expect to hear these covers at the show, which are a combination of the band’s signature blues, rock, and R&B.

The band explores the complexities of the global warming issue with “Cold Comfort,” and even looks at the relationship of gender and political power with “If Women Ruled the World.”

“‘If Women Ruled the World’ is a fun song but it’s also serious,” Shealy said, “We decided to focus on why women were smart and decided not to rule the world; it’s like Eve in the Garden of Eden learning not to listen to Adam or the snake.”